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Oakley

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Oakley Pronunciation

Oakley is pronounced OHK-lee /ˈoʊk.li/High

Meaning: Oak clearing or oak meadow; from Old English ac (oak) + leah (clearing, meadow)High

In 30 seconds: An English place-name surname meaning 'oak clearing,' now trending as a girls' first name. Its most famous historical bearer is sharpshooter Annie Oakley, giving it a fearless, frontier spirit.

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Origin HighEnglish

MeaningOak clearing or oak meadow; from Old English ac (oak) + leah (clearing, meadow)

U.S. rank (2025)#156 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births1,933 girls (0.11% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2025

Total births (all-time)≈ 15,352

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Oakley is an English topographic surname composed of Old English ac (oak) and leah (woodland clearing or meadow). Several villages in England bear the name. It became a surname through the medieval practice of naming families after the landscape features near their homes.

As a first name, Oakley arrived in U.S. birth records largely on the coattails of the nature-surname trend of the 2010s. It entered the top 200 for girls by the early 2020s, buoyed by admiration for Annie Oakley as a cultural icon and by parents seeking rugged, outdoorsy names.

Did you know? Annie Oakley's real surname was Mozee — she took the stage name Oakley from the Cincinnati neighborhood of Oakley, reportedly chosen for its crisp sound.

Overall data confidence 92%

Behind the Name — Oakley — etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

OakleeOakleighOaklie

Nicknames

OakOaks

Themes & Styles

Nature Place-name Surname-style Outdoorsy

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Oakley…

Hadley— Old English place-name surname rising for girls

Harley— nature-adjacent surname name with a similar two-syllable rhythm

Brinley— modern -lee-ending girl name with the same outdoorsy vibe

Whitney— lands in the same popularity range

Brynley— a fellow English choice

→ See all names like Oakley

Browse the whole category: All English names → · All origins →

Frequently Asked

How do you pronounce Oakley?

Oakley is pronounced OHK-lee (/ˈoʊk.li/). Press play above to hear Oakley said aloud.

How do you say Oakley?

Oakley is said OHK-lee (/ˈoʊk.li/). Press play above to hear Oakley said aloud.

What does the name Oakley mean?

Oakley means 'oak clearing' or 'oak meadow,' from Old English ac (oak) and leah (clearing).

Is Oakley a boy or girl name?

Oakley is used for both but ranks predominantly in girls' data in recent years.

How popular is Oakley?

Oakley ranked #157 for U.S. girls in 2024.